The Soul of Cinder: Unraveling the Lore of Dark Souls III’s Final Boss
The Soul of Cinder is the monumental and enigmatic final boss of Dark Souls III, embodying a profound and complex concept central to the game’s lore. It is not merely a powerful adversary, but rather a physical manifestation, a deific amalgamation of every individual who has ever successfully linked the First Flame. This entity serves as the ultimate guardian of the flame, the final obstacle for the Ashen One in their journey. The Soul of Cinder represents the culmination of centuries of sacrifice and the cyclical nature of the Dark Souls universe, making it a deeply symbolic figure within the series. This being is not a singular individual, but a composite, drawing power and characteristics from the countless Lords of Cinder who came before. This includes notable figures like Lord Gwyn and even potentially, the previous protagonists from earlier Dark Souls titles. The Soul of Cinder is, therefore, not just a boss, but a living echo of the past, a monument to the desperate attempts to prolong the Age of Fire.
The Nature of the Soul of Cinder
An Amalgamation of Lords
The core of the Soul of Cinder’s being lies in its nature as a composite entity. It is not one soul, but many, all bound together by the act of linking the fire. This explains why, during the first phase of the battle, the Soul of Cinder adopts various fighting styles, mimicking those of past protagonists – most notably the movesets of the Chosen Undead from Dark Souls and the Bearer of the Curse from Dark Souls II as well as other Lords of Cinder, whose individual forms are not seen in the game. It serves as a reminder of the cyclical, repetitive nature of the game’s world and the desperate measures to prolong the Age of Fire. This makes the Soul of Cinder unique among video game bosses, as it isn’t just a single character but a collection of many, each with their own legacy and sacrifices.
A Guardian of the Flame
The Soul of Cinder’s purpose is simple: to protect the First Flame from the Ashen One, the protagonist. This role places it directly in opposition to the player, who is destined to either relink the flame, plunge the world into darkness, or forge a new path entirely. As such, the Soul of Cinder becomes the ultimate test, a gauntlet of past heroes and sacrifices that the player must overcome to alter the fate of the world. Its presence at the Kiln of the First Flame is not merely a coincidence, but rather a final, desperate act of defense against the encroaching darkness.
The Connection to Gwyn
While the Soul of Cinder is an amalgamation of all who linked the flame, the influence of Lord Gwyn is particularly noticeable. His presence is manifested in the second phase of the fight, where the Soul of Cinder adopts Gwyn’s signature moves and music, symbolizing the enduring legacy of the First Lord of Cinder. This connection reinforces the idea that the cycle has been repeating, again and again, each time failing to prevent the eventual fading of the flame. This link ties the themes of the game together in a satisfying manner and also helps make the Soul of Cinder such a climactic boss.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Soul of Cinder a god?
While not a god in the traditional sense, the Soul of Cinder is a deific manifestation, an entity imbued with the power of countless souls who have linked the flame. It holds immense power and occupies a position akin to a guardian deity, tasked with protecting the First Flame.
2. What is the lore behind the Soul of Cinder?
The Soul of Cinder is an amalgamation of every individual who linked the First Flame. It embodies the accumulated sacrifices and power of past Lords of Cinder, including Lord Gwyn and possibly even previous player characters. Its existence is tied directly to the cyclical nature of the Dark Souls world and the constant attempts to maintain the Age of Fire.
3. Is the Soul of Cinder optional?
No, the Soul of Cinder is the final boss of Dark Souls III and defeating it is mandatory to complete the game and achieve any ending. You cannot progress through the game without engaging and overcoming it.
4. Where is the Soul of Cinder located?
The Soul of Cinder is located in the Kiln of the First Flame, the final area of the game. It can only be reached after defeating all four Lords of Cinder and linking the flame at the Firelink Shrine Bonfire.
5. Is the Soul of Cinder a bad guy?
The Soul of Cinder is an antagonist, serving as the final obstacle for the player. While its role is to defend the First Flame, it’s not necessarily evil. It’s a manifestation of desperation and the will to maintain the status quo, even when it’s ultimately unsustainable.
6. Is the Soul of Cinder Gwyn?
The Soul of Cinder is not solely Gwyn, but rather an amalgamation that includes him. The second phase of the fight is heavily influenced by Gwyn, his fighting style, and music; his spirit is part of its overall makeup.
7. What is the best weapon to fight the Soul of Cinder?
The Soul of Cinder is resistant or immune to fire, bleed, and poison damage. Therefore, weapons that deal lightning or dark damage are recommended as they are the Soul of Cinder’s weaknesses.
8. Does killing the Soul of Cinder end the game?
Yes, defeating the Soul of Cinder triggers the end game sequence, however, you are then given the option to begin a New Game+, or to continue exploring the game world and finishing up side quests.
9. What should I do before killing the Soul of Cinder?
It is advisable to complete all NPC quests, explore all optional areas, and upgrade your character and equipment to their maximum potential before engaging the Soul of Cinder for the last time. Missing this can cause you to need to play into NG+ to finish side quests.
10. Is the Soul of Cinder the player?
It’s not the literal player, but the Soul of Cinder embodies all past protagonists who chose to link the flame. It’s a meta-reference to the choices made by players in previous games.
11. Who are the 5 Lords of Cinder?
The five Lords of Cinder who need to be defeated in Dark Souls III are the Abyss Walkers, Yhorm the Giant, Aldrich the Devourer of Gods, and the Twin Princes Lothric and Lorian. While Gwyn is the first Lord of Cinder he is not present in this list of mandatory bosses to defeat.
12. Can I keep playing after beating the Soul of Cinder?
Yes, after beating the Soul of Cinder, you can choose to continue playing your current playthrough or enter a New Game+. It is best to finish the main game objectives in the base game so that the playthrough into NG+ is smoother.
13. Is the Soul of Cinder the Ashen One?
No, the Soul of Cinder is the embodiment of past Lords of Cinder, not the current player character, the Ashen One. It is the final defense for the First Flame against the Ashen One.
14. Should I link the First Flame?
The decision to link the First Flame is a central choice in the Dark Souls series, with both linking the flame and allowing the flame to fade being equally valid and defensible, the decision ultimately comes down to the player and how they view the lore. The act of linking the flame perpetuates the cycle, while allowing it to fade leads to a new era.
15. Why did Gwyn split his soul?
Gwyn split his soul to distribute his power amongst his followers and to try to maintain control over the Undead and keep the First Flame lit. It was a desperate attempt to stave off the inevitable decline of the Age of Fire and not for selfish reasons.